Travelogue: Discover some monsters this summer

Wednesday

Jun 25, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Weekly travel rail, with a look at some roadside monsters in the U.S., how to get free gas from Vermont and more.

American Tourist: Dinosaurs and monsters

Looking for a family vacation that combines a relatively inexpensive trip with something that will feed your children’s appetite for monsters? Here’s a look at just a few of the dinosaurs and monsters on display around the U.S.

Monster: Bigfoot
What is it: You know who he is.
Where: All over the U.S.

Monster: Boggy Creek Monster
What is it: A replica of a large ape-like creature that haunts the woods.
Where: Fouke, Ark.

Monster: Cabazon Dinosaurs
What is it: Two giant dinosaurs near a windmill valley near Palm Springs. They starred in “Pee Wee's Big Adventure.”
Where: Cabazon, Calif.

Monster: Champ
What is it: An American version of the Loch Ness Monster (see also Lake Erie Bessie). There isn’t a replica of Champ, but there is a monument and several other tributes.
Where: Burlington, Vt., various spots around Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont

Monster: Flatwoods Monster
What is it: A replica of a 10-foot-tall green alien that landed in the town in the 1950s.
Where: Flatwoods, W. Va.

Monster: Rainbow Rock Shop Dinosaurs
What is it: A collection of dinosaurs around the Rainbow Rock Shop.
Where: Holbrook, Ariz.

To see more monsters and other wacky attractions, check out www.roadsideamerica.com.

Travel Tales

A British woman’s wig looked a tad suspicious to Norwegian customs agents, so they investigated it and found that it was a wig containing 2 pounds of cocaine. A newspaper in Norway reported that the cocaine was glued to the woman’s head, and it had to be removed by hospital workers because it was stuck to her real hair.

Good to Know

Travelers who visit Vermont this summer could win $100 worth of gas from the state. If you register at www.VermontVacation.com/fuel, you’ll be entered in a weekly giveaway contest. The $100 gas cards are only redeemable in Vermont.

Funny business

Britain’s top comedians – alive and dead – are part of a new tourism campaign. Laurel and Hardy, John Cleese, Jennifer Saunders and more are part of the Comedy England campaign, which encourages tourists to visit the country’s famous funny spots. For more information, go to www.enjoyengland.com/comedy.

Fun Facts

- Despite what the name might lead you to believe, the Australian town of Orange is best known for its crop of apples. (Wikitravel.org)

- The Ox in Castlefield, Manchester is the only pub in the United Kingdom to be named after a potato. (Wikitravel.org)

Travel Tip: No smoking

Smoking has come under fairly stringent controls in recent years all over the globe. Here’s a look at a few countries and their rules:

- Australia: The rules vary from state to state, but there is generally no smoking in public places.

- France: Smoking is banned pretty much everywhere.

- Ireland: Restaurants and bars are smoke-free. However, many pub owners have compensated by extending their seating outdoors, and there are smoking bedrooms available in most hotels.

- Italy: Restaurants and bars are smoke-free, as are most hotels.

- Japan: Smoking is banned at airports, most train stations and government buildings, but smoking hotel rooms are available.

- Spain: Large bars and restaurants must have non-smoking sections. Shopping centers and public transportation are smoke free.

- Sweden: Restaurants and bars are smoke-free.

- United Kingdom: Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including bars, pubs and restaurants.

Source: Wikitravel.org

Talk Like a Local: Spanish

Leave me alone.

- Déjame en paz (DEH-hah-meh ehn PAHS)

I'll call the police.

- Llamaré a la policía (yah-mah-REH ah lah poh-lee-SEE_ah)

GateHouse News Service

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